Reno/Sparks, Nev. – For more than a half-century, John Ascuaga and the Nugget have distributed scholarships to college-bound seniors, making it one of the longest-running programs of its kind in the state. This year, once again, a special new award honoring the Nugget’s Basque heritage and spirit of assistance, the “Sorospen Award,” will be introduced and offered. In all, 25 of the area’s best and brightest students will be honored on Tuesday, May 6, with an awards ceremony and luncheon in the Poolside Terrace at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Mr. Ascuaga, along with members of his executive staff including daughter and CEO, Michonne, and son/COO, Stephen, will be on hand to greet winners and their families.

          This year’s recipients are as follows: Lydia Peri, Carson High School, Margaret Nelson, Churchill County High School, Matthew Barnes, Damonte Ranch High School, Bret Remington, Dayton Valley High School, Kristin Lovell, Douglas High School, Jalisca Whelchel, Eureka County High School, Vase Bari, Fernley High School, Anna Koster, Galena High School, Teava Noy, Hug High School, Savanna Richards, North Valleys High School, Bryan Cholico, Lowry High School, Tyler Mendiola, Manogue High School, Logan McCoy, McQueen High School, Shelby Graham, Pershing County High School, Maureen Choman, Reed High School, Audrey Hoel, Reno High School, Charles Mann, Smith Valley High School, Alexander Fiannaca, Spanish Springs High School, Juan Lara, Sparks High School, Lacie Young, TMCC (Reed High), Robert Barrington, Virginia City High School, Diane Mar, Wooster High School, and Rebecca Nolan, Yerington High School.

The Sorospen winners are: Oscar Zambrano, Hug High School and Anna Moreno, Pershing County High School. “Sorospen” means “help, aid or relief” in the Basque language. The Ascuaga family, itself second- and third-generation Basque, specifically crafted this award to reach out to students who experienced unique hardship or challenges while rising through the ranks of secondary education.

All winners each will receive a total of $1,000, based on continued enrollment and maintaining a minimum grade-point standard. Applications were reviewed by the Nugget Scholarship Committee and evaluated on scholastic achievement, financial need, community involvement and extra-curricular activities. Since 1956, the Nugget’s scholarship program has awarded more than $400,000 dollars in educational monies to nearly 500 area students.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget is a premier hotel casino owned and operated by the Ascuaga family in Sparks, Nevada. For more information, call 800-648-1177 or visit janugget.com.